Fostering community engagement and resilient societies through sport

We live in a complex world, ridden with chasms based on caste, creed, colour, nationality and religion. The Covid-19 pandemic has further made societies inward looking, ironically in reaction to a threat that is global in outreach and impact. The impact of the pandemic has not only debilitated the world economies but also increased social tensions among the people. In this context, while states are fighting hard to rebuild their shattered economies, very little focus has been attributed to bridging social tensions. The growing mutual mistrust between diverse communities and between communities and government stakeholders requires a holistic approach with initiatives which build greater social interaction between the diverse communities and government stakeholders. This is necessary to build to resilient society for a better post- Covid world. There are many vehicles to achieve this objective, and sport is one such potent vehicle.

The United Nations General Assembly has emphasized on the positive contribution that sport can have on the realization of sustainable development and on the advancement of human rights. 6 April was proclaimed the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) vide the UNGA Resolution 67/296 in 2013.

In addition, the United Nations General Assembly also commemorates 2021 as the ‘International Year of Peace and Trust’, wherein sport can play and instrumental role.The UN International Day of Sport for Development and Peace 2021 recognizes the role that sport plays in communities, in individuals’ lives, in building resilience and in the recovery from the pandemic. The 2021 International Day of Sport for Development and Peace aims to achieve the following key outcomes:

– Reaffirm the place of sport in the recovery from the pandemic and beyond

– Foster equity, solidarity,

community and team spirit in response to the pandemic

– Encourage healthy habits through physical activity and building emotional wellbeing

– and inspire hope through sporting analogies.

In Australia, sport in recent years has gained prominence as a vehicle for community development and engagement. Research shows a positive correlation between team sport participation and volunteering as a young adult. Ian Ritz in a 2006 study, “Playing for an active community: Youth sports participation and civic engagement” argued sport is an active vehicle to instil positive behaviour, social values, cooperation and greater motivation to succeed.

Therefore, inclusion of sports and physical activityis instrument in youth development, developing life skills and promoting positive social behaviour. In this context, India News in conjunction with the Institute for Australia India Engagement (IAIE) is hosting a cricket match between the South Asian community and Queensland Police to build greater mutual understanding. The idea is to build a more resilient Queensland through sporting engagement and creating a healthier intercommunity relationship. The greater the mutual understanding, the easier the task for the law enforcement agencies and government stakeholders for strengthening the multicultural ethos of Queensland and Australia. The match between the IAIE XI representing the South Asian communities and Queensland Police Commissioner’s XI has received a strong support from the local federal members of parliament, state members of parliament, councillors, community leaders and local businesses. The idea has already garnered immense interests amongst the diverse South Asian communities and government stakeholders and is slated to become a recurring annual event. This is a clear winner for all sides!